17 March 1988
Original letters sent to the President and Prime Minister of Turkey
Your Excellency:
I am writing to you in connection with the situation of Dr. Nihat Sargin, a surgeon and chest specialist who, I gather, has been convicted to a 36-year sentence in prison.  I was particularly impressed with the fact that Amnesty International has declared Dr. Sargin a "prisoner of conscience," and I gather that the evidence of torture, including electric shocks and hanging have been discounted by the prosecutor in charge of his case.  I would like to urge you to consider the release of Dr. Sargin on the grounds that he is in prison solely for the non-violent expression of his political beliefs.  I hope that you will be able to use the power of your office to help insure the release of this useful and important member of your society.
Sincerely yours,
Christian B. Anfinsen
Professor of Biology
(Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 1972)